Dr. Seussical Cupcakes

This week at preschool they have been celebrating Dr. Seuss.

If you know anything about us, we HEART Dr. Seuss!

What a perfect opportunity to have some fun.

Now, I'm going to write a disclaimer.

I love photography.

I am an amateur.

But I have a good camera.

Sometimes the photos aren't the best.

With 3 munchkins running around, I am always in a hurry.

So that is the reason.

I wish I could take better inside photos.

This is something I need to learn.

But again, time constraints don't allow me to delve deeper in to my passion.

So if you are every wondering why I have some great photos

and then some not so great photos, this is the reason why.

Back to the post.

I found adorable FREE printable tags/cupcake toppers.

And I wanted to make some crazy cupcakes.

It became a family project.

Here goes!

Materials:

* White cake mix

* White icing (you choose your flavor)

* Food coloring

* Plastic containers to mix in

* Cupcake liners

* Toothpicks (or lollipop sticks)

* Hot glue gun

* Fiskars Easy Squeeze Punch - Scallop Edge Circle 2"-2.5"

* Card Stock

* Printer

Go ahead and follow the instructions on the cake mix.

You may need 1 to 2 boxes depending on how many you want to make.

I used 2 boxes and made 41 cupcakes.

With the white cake mix, fill about 1/4.

You are leaving room for the colored portion of the cupcake.

Pour a bit of the cake mix in to different plastic containers.

Pour in the food coloring of your choice.

The more you mix, the darker it will become.

I chose 3 different colors.

Then I filled each cupcake up to the half way point.

I put them in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes.

In the meantime, I printed out the cupcake toppers.

I snagged them for free from Home Confetti.

Printed on card stock and then cut out with my handy scrapbooking device.

From there, I put a dab of hot glue on the back

and rolled the toothpick around in it.

I laid them face down and let the glue dry.

Take your white icing and put some in a small plastic container.

I used the 4 oz Glad container.

Mix in your food coloring.

Spread the icing on the cupcakes.

Stick in your cupcake toppers.

Waaaaalaaaaa!

You are finished.

Easy enough for any mommy or daddy to do that isn't experienced in the way of crafting.

The kids and teachers LOVED them when we delivered the cupcakes this morning.

And it is delish.

Oh, the kids will get a suprise when they bite in to them.

All that pretty color!

Enjoy!

Initial Applique Shirt Tutorial

Please forgive my absence for the past week.

Between all 3 kids being on zpacks as well as mommy,

life has been a game of "catch up" for the last week.

I just didn't have a moment to get a blog post together.

No matter how hard I tried and with sleep being so important,

I chose that over trying to do another tutorial or post.

With that said, I have this wonderful tutorial.

A follower requested that I do this since she was having problems

trying to do it on her own.

I took advantage of it being Dr. Seuss week at school

and made these cute initial shirts for my triplets.

Let's get to making!

Sewers and non sewers alike can make this shirt.

{click on photo for a bigger view}

Materials:

* Fabric of your choice

* Heavy Duty Wonder Under

* Shirt

* Computer & MS Word or other similar program

* Iron/Ironing Board

* Scissors

* Sewing Machine (optional)

The way I go about making initial shirts is by using WORD ART in MS Word.

I pick the outline word art so that I can just cut around it.

Below is a screen shot of what it looks like.

It does take some tweaking as you go.

For instance, when I figured out the font, the auto font size only went

up to 72 but you can actually type in a higher number.

For the letter "I", I went up to 600 for font size.

I ended up printing it out a couple of times until I got the size just right.

After you print, cut the letter out.

Trace the letter on BACKWARDS.

Below you can clearly see the "S" is reversed.

You must do this so your letter comes out the right way.

Once you trace the letter on, cut around it.

Place on your fabric until you find the perfect spot!

I wanted to make sure to catch "Dr. Seuss".

Press firmly for about 15 -20 seconds.

Rip the backing off of your letter.

Play with the placement of the letter and then press firmly.

Again you will want to iron for about 20-30 seconds.

If you are not sewing, this is it!

Your shirt is finished!

For you sewers, take it to the machine!

You will want to top stitch around at about 1/8".

I used a triple stitch to give it a good outline.

And there you have it!

All finished, perfect for your little one to wear!

Please feel free to share this tutorial with others.
Hit that PIN IT button at the top of the post to put on your Pinterest.

And, we love to see what you come up with!

Share a photo on our Facebook page.

Enjoy & have fun!

Easy Peasy Ribbon Bookmark Tutorial

Having 3 sick kids is NO FUN.

Two double ear infections for the girls.

Right ear infection for Ian.

Add that to the coughing and pink eye and I'd call us a HOT MESS!

Oh, and let's not forget that I am also sick.

Yep, Zpacks all the way around.

Good times!

Now, let's get moving with this easy tutorial.

I am doing two versions.

A sewing version and a non-sewing version.

Materials:

* .5" elastic, about 10"

* 5/8" or 7/8" ribbon of your choice, about 1 yard

* Pins

* Hot Glue Gun

* Sewing machine & notions

* Scissors

* Lighter

* Ruffling Foot {optional}

{Click on the photo for a larger version}

I am going to start with the no sew version which should take

all of FIVE minutes to make.

This would be a great party favor if you find character fabric!

Cut your ribbon a couple of inches longer than your book.

You will use the lighter to burn each

edge so that the ribbon does not fray.

Cut your half inch elastic 1 inch shorter than the length of your book on each end.

Using your hot glue gun,

put a big dab of glue on the end of your ribbon.

Attach the elastic to the end.

Repeat with the other side, creating a circle/loop.

Let the glue dry completely and slip that pretty bookmark

on your favorite book or give it to your favorite little reader!

Couldn't ask for a better bookmark!

AND...now for the ruffled version that requires some sewing!

Cut about 1 yard of ribbon.

You will need to leave 2" on the end to sew to the elastic.

Fold ribbon under approximately 1/4"- 1/2" to create the ruffle.

Pin to hold.

{or if you are like me, I just took it to the machine and folded under as I went b/c you know I have a hate/hate relationship with pins}

Also make sure to have your elastic cut, about 1" shorter

on each end of the length of your book.

OPTIONAL:

If you have a ruffling foot, you can skip the above step.

Take your pinned, ruffled ribbon to the machine.

Straight stitch right down the middle.

I used a matching thread but it would be cute to

use a contrasting thread as well!

You will ruffle enough to extend the length of your book.

Leave a 2" tail of ribbon to attach to the elastic.

Use a zig zag stitch to attach your elastic to the end of your ribbon.

Do again to the other end.

It should look like a circle/loop.

And you are all done!

So cute and perfect for keeping your place.

Put 2 bookmarks together for mega cuteness!

Or use a character ribbon such as Minnie Mouse for your

favorite little reader.

Add it to the party favor bag for a unique favor.

Now, if that isn't an easy tutorial, I don't know what is!

Please feel free to share your creations on our Facebook page.

We love, love, love to see what you come up with.

Add embellishments, a messy flower or some bling.

Make it your own!

Enjoy and Happy Friday!

PS ~ I run my half marathon on Sunday.

SOOOO EXCITED!

Happy Valentine's Day

Let's face it...the kids were excited!

The girls have been DYING to wear their UpcycleMeCrazy dresses.

Yep, I sew but I buy special occasion stuff from UMC.

After all, gotta support another sewing triplet momma!

Ian was just as excited to wear his Heartbreaker shirt.
I gotta say that I love the v-neck shirt!

And the red Chuck Taylor high tops made the outfit that much cuter.

Eh hem, shouting out to Old Navy for fabulous skinny jeans for boys!

My boy is almost always this happy.

He really spreads the cheer!

Gabi was beside herself.

The new dress.

The big bow.

Valentine's Day...she was READY!

Oh Sofi.

My sweet Sofi.

My Sofi that didn't want to put on THIS bow.

So she pouted.

In perfect Sofi style.

Kids make the cutest crafts.
I adore this shot.

Gabi rocked this all by herself!

Is that a crack of a smile I see?
That puppy dog craft must have done the trick!

The teachers and staff loved their gifts, whew!

The kids couldn't wait to give them to each person.

So cute!

I wish I could bottle up their excitement.

At least it is contagious.

I'm in a pretty darn good mood despite not feeling well.

But who's complaining?
It is Valentine's Day!

Spread the love.

And for those of you curious about the editing program I use, Picasa 3.9.

The first set of shots w/ the rounded edge are a 1960's finish.

The last few shots are cinemascope finish.

It's just 1 click and poof!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

{I've got an 8 mile jog coming this evening}

Peace out!